Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-01-20
IN THE MIDDLE WEST.
n Story of Life in the Great
Mississippi Valley.
BY ALvA MILTON KERR.
tcori RIonr, 1885,, ny TUE A. N. KELLOGG
NEWSPAPER COMPANYl

NEWSPAPER coNrASY.l
CHATTER x.-CoNrINuEn.
''Do you like il hcreP" asked John
Earling, gently.
81 like tho prairies, sir, I think they
are beautiful" said the little maid.
where she sat with her hands folded in
her lap.
For years thereafter John Earling
could close his eyes and reproduce the
silvery voice, and with Il the little thrill
that touched him at its first sweet ca
dcnce.
Judge Bower excused himself and
went up to his chamber. aud Mrs.
Bower into the dining-room.
Il dare say it is plcasanter at your
home" said John Earling.
''ln many ways it is, sir. Mamma
has lived long time in Washington.
and there are many beautiful things
there, and many sad ones, too. 1t
seems very free and quiet here and
like it.
Her eyes were so steady and lumin-
Gus that for the first time In his life
John Earrings vision faltered. 'While
the war was going on presume there
were many disturbing things" he said.
YES, sir. we saw many dreadful
sights, and were often much disturbed.
We were at the grand review of the
army just before aunt and 1 came
West IL was glad time; cried for
Joy, was so so glad thatihey wouldn't t
kill each other any more"
''lt is very cruel"
20 sir. only those who have been
near 1t can think how sad II was. Nv
papa lost his life at tho beginning. .
and the big eyes filled.
John Earrings heart was touched
and he looked down. Mrs Bower re-
entered. Celeste, dear, tea is ready"
she said ''Comc, Mr.. Earling." Then
she called up the stairway to her hus-
band
When they were seated about the
snowy cable Mrs. Bower said, with n
happy smile:
This seems good, doesn't it judgcp"
Then to John Earling. with a laugh:
I'VE never had any children, and we
get lonely somttimes watching each
other across the dishes, you know"
1T fatigues her, not J., " said the
irige, gallantly. "We would be glad
20 keep Celeste IL we could he added,
Though she doesn't talk much she
might witness that have not outgrown
the honeymoon, as wife intimates She
thinns IL quite orphan-like to be child
less. "
Then his face became grave; he
seemed 20 have bethought him of
John Earring and Celeste's loss.
''1our parents have been a long
time dead, havo they not?' asked Mrs.
Bower. very gently.
"Yes, ma'am, said John Earring,
$50 long / do not remember them.
Sometimes i seem 10 remember them
a little, but think il is a fancy"
You did not lose them naturally,
believer"
''No. ma'am, Mr.. Whitney has told
pc that my father was murdered, or
net nc least a violent death, aad my
pother died Of a broken heart
John Earrings eyes were upon his
ate, and Celeste's grew very soft as
fhcy dwelt upon his face. IL have
bought much Of it," no went on;
'thcre seems 10 be some mystery.
something insolnble, unsettled: some
times think shall ultimately know. but
perhaps il Is only my desire"
''Cap not Whitney throw some light
upon itP'' suggested Judge Bower
" think not. SIR
There was some propertyPn
+" Yes, sir; but It fell into the hands
Of a person who had purchased il.
My father was robbed Of the money
directly afterward. believe"
Was there nothing lcft2"
Nothing, think; but had
thought when my indebtedness 10 Mr..
Whitney was paid l would look
81 should think It might be adj
visable,' said the Judge.
After supper al Mrs Bowers
suggestion, Celeste went TO the piano
and sang a song IN an inexpressibly
sweet voice. II touched John Earling.
lilo was very sensitive 10 music, and he
thanked her Erelong he arose. say
lng he must go 10 work again. The
Judge and Mis-. Bower insisted that hs !
should remain through the night with !
them, but he felt that he should be nj
work, no said, aud bid them good !
night Mrs Bower went with him 10 |
Tho door, and the silken-Leaded |
Celeste, whose luminous, sober eyes
bad dwclt continually through The |
evening upon his face, ran out TO tho |
iower-garden from the end OF the
I<rS1 and brought a bunch cf tea I
roses and put them IN his hand. 'Youl
must como again. she said. innocent
ly (" like 10 hear you talk" and
John Earring went away with his
checks very rod.
Aiior wriliag until late Ia the oilice
fBowor q Woodman that night, he
Iound lodging at the public house
ahorc tho book-koepcr Fowler took his
meals. and The next morning that quiet
person handed him note from Joel
|fhltney, requesting him 10 call az the
liore ~ be wished 70 500 him. John
sar|Ing went directly 10 meet him
when 10 had dono breakfasling. and
'nl1rlng the oalioe found Joel already
"a hlt desk.
Young man. he began. turning
|'s hueo hulk about with q not very /
rnInisile o. composed look npon !
"a IaeI floH Nas iolefablf hfash yes
~ ~ DIAluUu with NC. and think